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28 March 2024

FNC elections in October: Gargash

Published
By Wam

Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Chairman of the National Elections Commission (NEC), said elections for the Federal National Council (FNC) will be held next October at a time when the UAE is making many landmark achievements locally, regionally and internationally.

"The UAE has tested and proven its resilience to ride over tremendous challenges it faced throughout its quest towards the achievement of inclusive, and ambitious development goals. The nation today is a role model of development, progress and prosperity thanks to the strong, unique relationship between the leadership and its loyal people," said Dr. Gargash, who is also Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Federal National Council of Affairs, at a lecture organised by the NEC at the Armed Officers Club in Abu Dhabi.

The event is part of a series of educational activities the NEC plans to organise ahead of the Federal National Council Elections 2015 in all the emirates in order to raise awareness of the members of the Electoral College on the regulatory and legal aspects of the electoral process to ensure active participation of voters.

Speaking about the FNC elections before a group of senior army and police officers, the minister said, "The UAE leadership believes that political participation is an integral part of the nation's progress and comprehensive sustainable development. It also holds the view that the FNC is an efficient platform for political participation and positive impact in the decision-making process. The leadership also thinks that gradual political modernisation is an important contributor to balanced development in the country."

He added that provision of health, educational, cultural and economic services to citizens requires an authority like the FNC which has always and is still a staunch supporter of all efforts aimed at serving the interests of the nation, and its security and stability.

"Acting as a voice of the citizens and a channel of communication with the government, the FNC plays a crucial role in meeting requirements of citizens and debating their concerns, thus contributing to maintaining stability in the local community," he said.

The registration of candidates who intend to contest the Federal National Elections 2015 will start on Sunday, August 16, and will end on August 20, at registration centres across the UAE set up by the NEC. The NEC said the registration centres are in a high state of preparedness to ensure a smooth registration process.